Around the region for Feb. 6, 2013

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

The driver of a truck hauling logs in Suwannee County Monday afternoon lost control and overturned, spewing the logs over the road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Driver Gustavo Hurtado, 30, of Miami, had minor injuries in the crash, which occurred about 3:30 p.m. at County Road 249 and 16th Street, FHP reported in a press release.

Hurtado was northbound on CR-249 on a right curve when he crossed the centerline because of his speed and lost control, FHP stated.

The truck overturned, spilling the logs, and came to rest on its left side.

Hurtado was charged with careless driving, the release states.

— Cindy Swirko

STATE

Miami Art Museum receives 300 new works

MIAMI — The new Miami Art Museum has received a gift of nearly 300 works of art for its permanent collection from two longtime collectors in the city.

Debra and Dennis Scholl have donated works of large-scale installation, video, photography and experimental art by artists of regional, national and international importance. The artists include Vito Acconci, Liam Gillick and Catherine Opie, among others.

The Miami Art Museum will reopen as the Perez Art Museum Miami in December at a new and expanded facility.

The governor unveiled his budget last week. On Tuesday his budget director spent nearly three hours going over the spending plan before a House budget panel.

Republican and Democratic legislators raised questions on some of the governor’s key proposals, including his push to offer a $2,500 across-the-board pay raise to school teachers and a one-time bonus for state employees.

— The Associated Press

Fla. justices hear breath testing machine case

TALLAHASSEE — State Supreme Court justices were in a quandary during oral argument Tuesday on a request from three defendants for access to software that runs the only breath testing machines certified for use in Florida.

The defendants, all charged with drunken driving, believe the software can help them prove the machines are inaccurate.

A lawyer for the devices’ Kentucky-based manufacturer, though, argued Florida cannot force an out-of-state company to provide that data.

Justice R. Fred Lewis told a lawyer for the defendants, William Ponall, that he was sympathetic. Lewis and other justices, though, questioned how Florida courts could require CMI Inc. to turn over the source codes for its Intoxilyzer 8000 even though the company is not a party to the defendants’ cases and the software isn’t kept in Florida.

Ponall replied that judges wouldn’t have to reach cross state lines because CMI does business in Florida and has a registered agent in the state.

— The Associated Press

Miami woman jailed after flipping off judge

MIAMI — A Miami woman was jailed on contempt charges after flipping off a judge during a drug possession hearing.

Penelope Soto, 18, laughed Monday when Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat asked how much her jewelry was worth as he inquired about her financial assets.

The judge told Soto “we’re not in a club, be serious about it.” Soto said she was being serious.

He set Soto’s bond at $5,000 and said, “bye-bye.” Soto laughed again and replied, “Adios.” He summoned her back to the podium and reset bond at $10,000.

<p class="bold allcaps">POLICE BEAT</p>
<p><b>Truck spills logs in Suwannee County</p><p></b>The driver of a truck hauling logs in Suwannee County Monday afternoon lost control and overturned, spewing the logs over the road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.</p><p>Driver Gustavo Hurtado, 30, of Miami, had minor injuries in the crash, which occurred about 3:30 p.m. at County Road 249 and 16th Street, FHP reported in a press release.</p><p>Hurtado was northbound on CR-249 on a right curve when he crossed the centerline because of his speed and lost control, FHP stated.</p><p>The truck overturned, spilling the logs, and came to rest on its left side.</p><p>Hurtado was charged with careless driving, the release states.</p><p><i>— Cindy Swirko</p><p></i></p><h3>STATE</h3>
<p><b>Miami Art Museum receives 300 new works</p><p></b>MIAMI — The new Miami Art Museum has received a gift of nearly 300 works of art for its permanent collection from two longtime collectors in the city.</p><p>Debra and Dennis Scholl have donated works of large-scale installation, video, photography and experimental art by artists of regional, national and international importance. The artists include Vito Acconci, Liam Gillick and Catherine Opie, among others.</p><p>The Miami Art Museum will reopen as the Perez Art Museum Miami in December at a new and expanded facility.</p><p>Museum director Thom Collins says the Scholls' gift ensures experimental work will be represented. </p><p><i>— The Associated Press</p><p></i><b>Lawmakers mildly criticize Scott budget</p><p></b>TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Rick Scott's $74.2 billion proposed budget isn't winning a lot of praise so far from state legislators. </p><p>The governor unveiled his budget last week. On Tuesday his budget director spent nearly three hours going over the spending plan before a House budget panel. </p><p>Republican and Democratic legislators raised questions on some of the governor's key proposals, including his push to offer a $2,500 across-the-board pay raise to school teachers and a one-time bonus for state employees.</p><p><i>— The Associated Press</p><p></i><b>Fla. justices hear breath testing machine case</p><p></b>TALLAHASSEE — State Supreme Court justices were in a quandary during oral argument Tuesday on a request from three defendants for access to software that runs the only breath testing machines certified for use in Florida. </p><p>The defendants, all charged with drunken driving, believe the software can help them prove the machines are inaccurate.</p><p>A lawyer for the devices' Kentucky-based manufacturer, though, argued Florida cannot force an out-of-state company to provide that data. </p><p>Justice R. Fred Lewis told a lawyer for the defendants, William Ponall, that he was sympathetic. Lewis and other justices, though, questioned how Florida courts could require CMI Inc. to turn over the source codes for its Intoxilyzer 8000 even though the company is not a party to the defendants' cases and the software isn't kept in Florida. </p><p>Ponall replied that judges wouldn't have to reach cross state lines because CMI does business in Florida and has a registered agent in the state.</p><p><i>— The Associated Press</p><p></i><b>Miami woman jailed after flipping off judge</p><p></b>MIAMI — A Miami woman was jailed on contempt charges after flipping off a judge during a drug possession hearing.</p><p>Penelope Soto, 18, laughed Monday when Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat asked how much her jewelry was worth as he inquired about her financial assets.</p><p>The judge told Soto “we're not in a club, be serious about it.” Soto said she was being serious.</p><p>He set Soto's bond at $5,000 and said, “bye-bye.” Soto laughed again and replied, “Adios.” He summoned her back to the podium and reset bond at $10,000.</p><p>Soto asked, “Are you serious?” The judge replied, “I am serious. Adios.”</p><p>Soto flipped him off and blurted an expletive as she walked away.</p><p>The judge then sentenced her to 30 days in jail.</p><p><i>— The Associated Press</i></p>